The Police have observed a recent trend of moneylending advertisements disseminated via the WhatsApp messaging platforms. Affected individuals are typically added randomly into a WhatsApp group chat by an overseas mobile phone number, advertising about moneylending services in Singapore. Such advertisements are likely to be from unlicensed moneylending syndicates which have resorted to advertising their unlawful activities via messaging platforms.
Members of the public are encouraged not to reply to these messages and should block/report the number as spam through WhatsApp. Members of the public can also provide information via the I-Witness portal at http://www.police.gov.sg/iwitness or call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or the National Crime Prevention Council’s X Ah Long Hotline at 1800 – 924 – 5664, if they have any information pertaining to unlicensed moneylenders. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Tough police enforcement, strong community partnerships and the deployment of more police cameras have led to a decrease in loanshark harassments that cause damage to property, since 2012. Our relentless enforcement efforts have driven loansharks to shift to non-confrontational and non-damage tactics to harass borrowers and to solicit new debtors through electronic means such as SMSes, phone messaging applications and social media platforms.
The Police will continue to work closely with our stakeholders, and relevant authorities such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority to deter such activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 March 2018 @ 3:00 PM